Discriminating against over 25s students... GRRR!

[sazz]

Hey Guys,

Long time no speaky! Been mucho busy at university and I am now on my well deserved hols yay!! This is something I have had a problem with for many years, not just since I became a 'mature student'.

 

The bus company where I live and Network Rail do student travel discount but it only applies to students who are 25 and under. In my view and the Age Discrimination Act, surely this is unlawful?

 

I travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow using the Young Persons Railcard which sets me back at £6.60 return. The railcard is not a student perk as such, but it's HEAVILY touted as a student card. The buses also have a student Ridacard which gives you around £60 a year off travel, but again, under 25's only. The bus Ridacard is SPECIFICALLY a student card, unlike the railcard which is for 'Young Persons'.

 

When I go back to uni after the summer (summer?!) it's going to cost me almost £12 a return to get there five days a week. As SAAS only pay up to around £1100 for travel expenses, the whole amount isn't covered as it is, let alone when I go back which is going to eat even more into my disability benefits. As a disabled student, the coach isn't really an option due to mobility problems although it'll be mucho cheaper for me at only £4.20 a return.

 

I am contemplating a few letters to both Network Rail and the bus company (although I don't personally use the buses in querstion), just to see what they have to say. Any advice before I send some stinking legal letters off?

 

Nice to be back guys! Hope you're all well!

 

Sarah

[gondukin]

I don't understand your problem with network rail, why not continue using a young person's railcard?

 

If you're aged between 16 and 25 (or a mature student), you can buy a Young Persons Railcard for just £20. It'll save you 1/3 on most rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year.

[jackboy]

I work for a university and a lot of mature students come to me for their form for a young persons railcard to be stamped and verified as to their student basis. Why can't you get your form stamped by your admin office at your unit?

[jackboy]

Sorry should say uni and not unit.

[gyzmo]

I posted a similar thing about this (but with buses) on a law forum, specifically asking if it is a form of age discrimination. Unfortunately, legislation does not cover consumers in these circumstances. companies can chose whatever age they want.

 

I will soon be starting a petition.

[davjoh]

FYI, there is no legislation at present preventing discrimination on the basis of age for access to goods and services, so I have no idea where you've got the notion of an Age Discrimination Act from?...

 

Dave

[recompense41]

Hi

 

I'm a mature student at uni with a disability and another option is you might be able to claim extra under the DSA - disabled students allowance. I don't know if you have tried this route. I have my own car so don't use the bus very much but I thought this might be an option.

 

Dee